THE PILGRIM FATHERS OF WESTPORT.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 506, 20 May 1869, Page 2

THE PILGRIM FATHERS OF WESTPORT.

THEIE EEBELLION AGAINST KING CUETISIUS. (To the Editor of the Weslport Times.) Sie.—The enclosed manuscript I found the other day amongst a quantity of old books and papers that I purchased at the sale of effects which belonged to one of our late respected citizens who settled here in the year 1866, and made the principal part of his colossal fortune by speculating in the Mount Eochford coal-mines, and the present prosperous Fish-curing Company. The manuscript rather interests me, as it gives us some information concerning the " Pilgrim Fathers" of our now prosperous city, and thinking, perhaps, that it might interest the citizens generally, I herewith send it to you, in hopes that you may find space for it in your valuable paper.—l have the honor to be yours, &c, w. Westport, County of Newcastle, January 1, 1901. It was during the reign of the good King Sandries that a swarm of animals of the genus homo landed on this part of New Zealand. In their dress they were principally of uncouth appearance, but endowed with all the noble qualities which fit men to grapple with and overcome difficulties in the battle of life, and they located themselves along the coast. From the Grey Eiver on the south, even to Wika-Kura on the north, did they extend their borders, and up the mighty Buller did they go in hundreds, whose golden sands they traced, expecting much •gain; and the country abounded with gold and other precious metals, including black diamonds. And it came to pass in those days that the good King Sandries sent a steward named Keynnerislius to govern the land, and Keynnerislius was a bold man and a just, and he administered,

justice and did good deeds to please the people; and the people rejoiced exceedingly because of his good deeds, and they grew in numbers and became exceeding rich by means of the gold and tbe precious metals which they dug from the ground, and steamers ploughed the rivers, and merchant princes were in their midst. And it came to pass in those days that the good king handries was gathered to his fathers, and the people mourned for him, as for a friend; and King Curtisius ruled in his stead. Now it happened that King Curtisius was a mighty man of words, and spoke loud things against the people, and sent an host of tax-gatherers into the land to collect all the tithes they could find and Bend to his kingdom of Nelson. At length the great King Curtisius and his tax-gatherers thought they could better plunder the people of the land without the good steward Keynnerislius, so they allowed him to go his way, which he did amid the shouts and lamentations of the people. And it came to pass after Keynnerislius had gone that the people became discontented with the rule of King Curtisius and his tax-gatherers, and they complained to the elders of the people. Then did Tylerius, a man cunning in law, and skilled in the deeds and figures of King Curtisius, and Conorius, the son of Anak, one familiar with spirits, and a very great man, and Redius the scribe, Millius the publican, and Acornis, Powess, Humfries, Bulliones, and all the elders of the people bowed themselves down before the King, and on their knees besought him to assist them and not to rob them of all their treasure. But he turned a deaf ear to their voice, and sent them away sore dismayed. Then did Redius the Scribe wet his pen, and write saying—" Oh !ye people of this golden land ; how long will ye endure oppression ? How long will ye submit to be ground down by the iron heel of the tyrant ? Arise : Be men: Be Britons \" And Tylerius lifted up his voice and spoke unto the people, saying—" Hearken to my voice, oh ye people, and give ear unto my words. We have cried unto King Curtisius, yea, on our bare knees have we besought him to attend to our wants, but he refused to listen to us. Now, we must rebel against him, or he will despoil us of all our goods. He hath already even taken from us fifty-nine thousand pieces of gold, yea, of that sum he hath already robbed us."

Then Conorius, the sou of Anak, arose and waxed exceeding wroth, and spoke unto the people and said—"We will no longer pay trihute to King Curtisius ; let us dethrone him. Be not afraid, oh ye men of the SouthWest G-o;dfields. I will be a father to you, and watch over you ; Even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, will I protect you." And the people grew exceeding merry. And they said with, one voice—" Let us cast off King Curtisius, even as we are ordered to cast off our hats in the presence of his tax-gatherers. Let us cry unto the mighty Emperor Staffordius that he may appoint another king over us." And the people bowed themselves down before the Emperor, and he hearkened to their petition and dethroned King Curtisius, who retired to his hollow and wept bitterly. And the Emperor Staffordius appointed the people a king who dwelt in their midst, and great joy was in the land and the people prospered.